Ruben Amorim admits 'anxiety every time' Man Utd star 'touches the ball'

Suraj Radia

• 30 Nov 2025 04:00 CST
• 3 min read

News

Ruben Amorim has admitted that one of his big money signings is feeling the pressure of life at Manchester United and that there is ‘anxiety’ whenever he touches the ball.

United have struggled for form and consistency this season and they find themselves in 12th place in the Premier League.

Some of their players have come under fire for their lacklustre displays this season, perhaps none more so than Patrick Dorgu, with the 21-year-old still yet to live up to his €30 million transfer in January.

‘You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety,’ said Amorim.

“When I see Patrick playing for the national team, he scored a great goal against Scotland and the decision that he made under pressure was completely different than the decision he's making in our team. I think it's the decision, he needs to be calmer playing the game.

“I remember the shot against Everton. That was easier than the decision he had to make when a guy from Scotland was there. I saw it when he played in Italy. But again, here is different and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning. He has time to improve.”

Amorim open to January transfer for defender

Dorgu was Amorim’s first signing at United but the Danish international is still adapting to the Premier League and has often found himself exposed down the left flank.

United have rotated between Dorgu, Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo at left wing-back but neither player has truly made the spot their own as of yet.

‘We have time to think about that,’ Amorim said when asked about his rotation. “I don't know what’s going to happen in January. What I feel when I see them (Dorgu and Dalot) training, they are doing so much better than in games.

“So I just need to understand the context in trying to help them. I think they are far from the best, and they know it – like a lot of players in our team and like myself.”

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